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Ruby Heard
Electrical Engineer and Energy Consultant
Director, Alinga Energy Consulting
Queensland
Ruby Heard is a versatile and ambitious entrepreneur and electrical engineer with global experience and an affinity for sustainability. She began her career with Arup designing electrical and lighting systems for iconic buildings in Melbourne. In 2015 she transferred to San Francisco to follow her passion into the renewable energy sector, designing complex solar arrays and microgrids for Google campuses.
In 2018 Ruby volunteered with Engineers Without Borders on a 6-month expedition to support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees energy team in Ethiopia. Upon her return to Australia Ruby founded Alinga Energy Consulting. Alinga is a socially conscious engineering consultancy that provides specialist energy services to the commercial, government and NGO sectors within Australia and internationally. Her company has a particular focus on areas where energy accessibility and affordability issues prevent or limit the availability of reliable power. With indigenous heritage originating from the Jaru people of the Kimberley, Ruby is especially driven to find solutions for Indigenous communities. She has been a member of the First Nations Clean Energy Network’s steering committee since it's development. In 2019 Ruby was recognised by Engineers Australia in their 100 Engineers Making a Difference list and was awarded Young Professional Engineer of the Year in Victoria.
Speaker agenda
First Nations Clean Energy Strategy – Maximising opportunities for WA First Nations communities and businesses through energy
As Western Australia rapidly transitions to renewable energy, large areas of First Nations land will be required to support the shift. This creates opportunities for new First Nations economic development and for jobs, businesses and the economy. Many First Nations communities also experience significant energy insecurity and are on the forefront of climate change. The First Nations Clean Energy Network was launched to bring together communities, industry and government to help get the settings right and to ensure First Nations participate in and benefit from the renewable energy transition. A year after the announcement of the First Nations Clean Energy Strategy - a commitment by all Australian Energy Ministers under the Commonwealth's National Energy Transformation Partnership - this presentation will consider emerging trends and discuss opportunities for industry and governments to build First Nations' partnerships in renewable energy transition.